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Devin Thomas Limps Off (Updated)

It appears to be rally-cap day for Jim Zorn. (John McDonnell - The Washington Post)

Devin Thomas came up limping after catching a pass from Colt Brennan. Thomas went to the trainers' tent and emerged limping noticeably with his right leg wrapped. Doesn't look good. Can't tell if it's his calf or knee, but my immediate reaction, based solely on his gait is that we won't see him on the field for a couple of days.

Malcolm Kelly is practicing and looks fine. He appears to be getting a few more reps. Of course, he wasn't hurt; he was just getting the afternoons off as a precaution.

After practice ended at 10:26, Jim Zorn met with reporters and indicated that Thomas' hamstring is not pulled. The team is just being cautious with him and wants to make sure nothing gets aggravated.

Zorn added that Santana Moss slightly tweaked his hamstring and had ice on it after practice.

How soon before the Skins start to second guess their gamble to not add a premier WR from the Free Agent ranks?
200+ Million into the Defense and nearly zero into the Offense (except picking up Dockery who was waived by the Bills).

CAN someone please tell me what the significance of posts comprising the phrase "Beep" or "beep beep"? The usage seems to be equivalent to the horns or bells used by the very uh, wacky "Morning Zoo"-type radio DJs, but I'd like to know how it came to be used on this blog.

Report: Packers are looking at signing Vick
Posted by Mike Florio on August 6, 2009 10:09 AM ET
Last week, Chris Myers of FOX Sports Radio reported that the Vikings were doing their homework regarding the possibility of signing quarterback Mike Vick.

Owner Zygi Wilf promptly slammed the door on the possibility. (Just like he did in February regarding Brett Favre.)

This week, the Packers reportedly are looking seriously at Vick.

According to Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal, the Packers are "doing thorough due diligence" regarding Vick, and they have "had legitimate discussions" about the possibility of acquiring him.

This doesn't mean that a signing is imminent. But it represents a rare indication of a team attempting to engage in the delicate cost-benefit analysis that, as a practical matter, has been difficult for most teams to accomplish while focused on training camp.

And we've been intrigued by possible link between Vick and the Packers, even though most brushed off G.M. Ted Thompson's recent comment that he hasn't ruled out pursuing Vick as Thompson characteristically keeping his cards close to his vest.

Since there's no identifiable owner of the publicly-held team, Thompson arguably has more sway in Green Bay than he'd have in other cities. Throw in the fact that Packers CEO Mark Murphy is a former NFL player, and there's no virtually no chance that someone with no football experience will get nervous regarding the potential consequences of flirting with Vick.

Besides, Thompson and the Packers have shown that they're willing to ignore potential P.R. predicaments in the interests of fielding a successful football team.

Case in point -- Thompson didn't flinch last year during the Brett Favre fiasco, which likely created far more local consternation than the arrival of Vick ever could.

Also, the Packers had no concerns about bringing in receiver Koren Robinson (wow, two PFT mentions for Koren in one day) despite his history of off-field misconduct, which prompted one writer to ask Thompson whether there's a concern that Robinson might kill a local resident while driving drunk.

Ironically, it was Vick and the Falcons who did what at the time was unthinkable, winning a postseason game at the previously impenetrable Lambeau Field.

So maybe, just maybe, the Packers will decide to attempt to restore their playoff mojo with a little (you guessed it) hair of the dog that bit them.

Thomas and Kelly are SOFT! Wasted picks. It's a shame. Looks like Hackett will be our #2 or #3. This is why you go and get TO when you had the chance. You instantly improve a horrible passing attack. You give Jason Campbell a bonafide (dominant) big play threat...leaving him no excuses (barring injuries) for poor QB play this season. If Campbell was unable to find success with TO in the fold, then he doesn't deserve to be here. And I don't want to hear the "character concerns" crap Vinny keeps chucking! Our starting RB has questionable character as well and he's still here. Looks like O-line and receivers will be our achilles heel again this season. Jeez!

I've just been working and taking a break from bloggin my guts out....and have been hoping against hope that my team wasn't really dumb enough to cut Jansen with the realistic plan that Mike Nutrisystem Williams was a possible replacement....but here we are huh?

Wonder how we would do if nobody practiced or played until the first real game of the season. Just classroom discussion of the playbook and then just a walk through of the plays. Players would still have to work out, etc but no contact.

How come we are the only team that has all these BS injuries? Guys are coming to camp out of shape=injuries=Danny is going to pay em anyway!No discipline in the organization equals no discipline on the field equals losers forever! Vinny and Danny will never win with these whussies!

Putting aside political debate b/c we all know how enlightening those can be on RI...) I have to highligt this user name as brilliant subversive message delivery. B/C its long you are forced to read it and by the time your eyes and brain agree on the meaning (second behind your actual 'readng')your hit with a provacative/challenging statement.

The blog just booted me from commenting! I'm going to have to get a horse and ride through the streets of D.C. with Skins updates. ... Don't think I won't do it for you guys.
Posted by: CindyBoren
-----------------------------------------

Cindy, what will you be wearing during this ride? I don't want to confuse you with anyone from the Times.

By some of the comments made up here I can tell that some of you guys have never been athletes. you see these type of injuries because there is a difference in working out and staying in shape and going two a days and hard practices. your body gets aches and small injuries in the begining because it is not use to running routes and blocking people as hard when you work out to stay in shape and keep your cardio. the first two weeks is always the roughest, but you all new that because of all of the armchair GM experience you have.

All of you girly skins fans need to shut up and let training camp play out. By the way buying some wet one's to wipe the crap from around your bottom wouldn't be a bad thing. Half of you on this blob need to get alife. Maybe spend some time with your wives before she ends up with " Joe the plummer"

Putting aside political debate b/c we all know how enlightening those can be on RI...) I have to highligt this user name as brilliant subversive message delivery. B/C its long you are forced to read it and by the time your eyes and brain agree on the meaning (second behind your actual 'readng')your hit with a provacative/challenging statement."

w.p.a.a.t.t.a.r.i - your name is funny, and also, an all encompassing racial stereotype.

your post is funny, too. I agree, everyone should think positive and check out some other teams. I bet there is a lot of bumps and bruises this time of year. there is a difference between being hurt and injured, right?

I know there are a lot of posters (that claim to be Skins fans) that will be very disappointed if any of the following people are ever successful: Thomas, Kelly, Davis, Rinehart, Campbell, Snyder, and Cerrato.

I'm not in the healthcare field, and know nothing about sports medicine...but is it just me, or does it almost seem like the Skins treat these nagging type injuries sooo cautiously, that perhaps that's part of the problem? If a player has a propensity for sore hamstrings, shouldn't they try building it up by using it, not taking days off just because it gets a little sore? Again, no insights here, just wondering...

JM220, The problem is that they do not properly stretch. they put their pads on and come out and do some jo basic stretches to get warm, when in all actuality they need to spend at least 30 minutes really warming up and stretching.

they need to stretch as if they were at a track meet. If you notice before the games ( i mean the real games) you see receivers our there warming up hours before, stretching and doing stretching exercises, but they dont do that for practice. that is why there are so many more injuries in practice.

GreatOne you may be right but it could be from the supplements they are taking as well. I remember last year seeing some at Moss locker. It you don't increase your water intake especially with Creatine you muscle will become tight.

The action continues, as first-, second- and third-team players alternate in and out of the lineup depending on packages.

Here's a sampling of the action:

Jason Campbell tossed a pass to the right sideline that was intercepted by Reed Doughty.
Chris Horton fended off a block by Jeremy Bridges at the line of scrimmage and got in position to tackle Clinton Portis.
Campbell faked a handoff to Ladell Betts, then waits for Betts to get open on a pass route. Perfect execution, as Betts is wide open along the right sideline. He catches the ball and turns up-field, avoiding a tackler in the process.
Reverse! Campbell hands off to Betts, who breaks right and hands off to Marques Hagans. Hagans runs around left end with Campbell was out in front providing the blocking. Assistant coach John Palermo yells at his defensive lineman for getting fooled on the play.
Todd Collins tosses a quick pass to Malcolm Kelly along the right sideline, but Kevin Barnes is there give him a hard shoulder tackle, shoving him out of bounds.
Mike Sellers ran a pass route and was in single coverage against Doughty. Colt Brennan's pass was a little late, but Sellers caught the ball and barrelled up-field.
Newcomer Michael Marquardt, signed on Wednesday, breaks free up the middle and would have had a certain sack on Brennan.

So maybe, just maybe, the Packers will decide to attempt to restore their playoff mojo with a little (you guessed it) hair of the dog that bit them.

Posted by: zjfr2 | August 6, 2009 10:51 AM | Report

I think you are ignoring the fact that the QB they currently have would be a step up for most teams.

Posted by: scottmando | August 6, 2009 11:31 AM | Report abuse

I didn't write that, it was a cut and paste of Mike Florio's PFT blog, as it said right on the top of the post.

And Bean, are you really arguing that the whole offseason since they signed him all we've heard is how well Mike Williams moves and how if he gets his weight down he'd be competing for a starting spot? I mean...that's not really debatable is it? and neither is the fact that the only spot that has "improved" over last year's line that completely fell apart is Dockery who certainly is younger and more durable then Kendall but who knows how much better. Heyer (an injury history in the past is already injured) couldn't beat out Jansen last year and we have nothing behind him except Bridges who is a guard they are forcing to play tackle....Rhino better step up and step up big or we're in trouble.

oldmangibbs: "...is it just me, or does it almost seem like the Skins treat these nagging type injuries sooo cautiously, that perhaps that's part of the problem? If a player has a propensity for sore hamstrings, shouldn't they try building it up by using it, not taking days off just because it gets a little sore?"

If you have a history of hamstring injuries (strains, pulls, etc), then when you feel it getting sore, you should stop exercising.

The soreness is probably from doing too much too soon. Muscle fatigue, etc.

Flexibility exercises help. ion
Leg Length Differences.

Things you can do to help:
Use the RICE method. Elevate the leg. Take some NSAIDs. Do some exercises that are designed to gradually strengthen the involved muscle group.

The folks who say warm-up are correct. Some docs recommend running backwards (retro-running). That may help with associated knee pain.

Sorry for the fragment. Meant to explain that one common cause of hamstring problems is one length slightly shorter than another. If that's the case, you may have to take preventive measures on a continuing basis.

Let's keep this conversation civil "Leave the black white issue off the table" Why do the average american think white palyers are smarter that black players? Is that why 96.9% of the QB's in the NFL are white?

Let's keep this conversation civil "Leave the black white issue off the table" Why do the average american think white palyers are smarter that black players? Is that why 96.9% of the QB's in the NFL are white?

I think Mark Sanchez is smarter than them all. Why when it comes to Race issues, do you like to only include Black and White, do you have something against the other races? Or are you just in favor of segregating them? Or is it just a subconscious thing and you cant help it.

Heyer (an injury history in the past is already injured) couldn't beat out Jansen last year

Funny, I recall Heyer being the starting Tackle on opening night against the Giants....

Posted by: BeantownGreg1 | August 6, 2009 12:09 PM | Report abuse

Strange, do you remember the Giants rolling over our line and specifically Heyer and him then getting injured and losing his spot to Jansen, then when he returned healthy staying on the bench behind Jansen until Samuels was injured and that's when he got back on the field? I seem to remember all that...I seem to remember Zorn calling Jansen out in preseason and saying Heyer was the guy and then we get crushed against the Giants, and Heyer has a stupid personal foul against Docket in the Cardinals game that got Thomas one highlight of the season TD called back and then he was gone till Samuels got hurt. Now all of a sudden he's a major upgrade at RT? And even if he is, he's proven to be not the most durable guy on the field which is the same with Samuels and we cut Jansen with the backup plans of Mike Williams and an out of position guard???? Great management once again, it isn't out of the realm of possibility that guys with injury histories like Samuels and Heyer could both get hurt who exactly would play then?

Can we please just pick up Levi Jones and just tell Heyer its an open competition so his feelings dont get hurt too much. Right now Heyer knows he can sit on his ass all camp cuz big Mike Williams aint taking his spot. And as far as the Randy Thomas situation goes, I think he could be done dude, i really hope not but im so shaky with him, pick up Jones, start Bridges.. Jones, Bridges, Rabach, Dock, Samuels..I can live with that, Rinehart, Thomas, and Heyer as primary backups

lets clear something up, that personal foul on Heyer in the cardinals game was not that stupid. If you go back and watch the film Heyer hit dockett because he took a cheap shot on Clinton portis the play before and he was taking up for his teamate. It was a dumb penalty but I will take that type of penalty any day from my lineman letting the opposing defense know that if you mess with my teamate im going to let you know about it

Heyer (an injury history in the past is already injured) couldn't beat out Jansen last year

Funny, I recall Heyer being the starting Tackle on opening night against the Giants....

Posted by: BeantownGreg1 | August 6, 2009 12:09 PM | Report abuse

Strange, do you remember the Giants rolling over our line and specifically Heyer and him then getting injured and losing his spot to Jansen, then when he returned healthy staying on the bench behind Jansen until Samuels was injured and that's when he got back on the field? I seem to remember all that...I seem to remember Zorn calling Jansen out in preseason and saying Heyer was the guy and then we get crushed against the Giants, and Heyer has a stupid personal foul against Docket in the Cardinals game that got Thomas one highlight of the season TD called back and then he was gone till Samuels got hurt. Now all of a sudden he's a major upgrade at RT? And even if he is, he's proven to be not the most durable guy on the field which is the same with Samuels and we cut Jansen with the backup plans of Mike Williams and an out of position guard???? Great management once again, it isn't out of the realm of possibility that guys with injury histories like Samuels and Heyer could both get hurt who exactly would play then?

In terms of Heyer...it is called progression...You know it is what usually happens when a young player works hard during the off season and gains more experience...For an undrafted rook to even start in his second year is usually unheard of. I think he will be a legit starter this year (save for injuries)...

In terms of depth...I agree with you completely. We need to go sign someone like runyan. Granted he is old, but he is a vet w/ starting experience (esp. in the nfc east). He would be an upgrade at tackle better then anyone else we have on the 2nd string.

Jeffco, I too am for getting Levi, but everything I read says he wants to be basically guaranteed a starting spot, and naturally starter-type pay. I don’t think that the skins could come to terms with the guy, unless it gets into September and the guy still has no job. I am also for signing Runyan to a short/cheap deal if he can pass the physical. I think I would actually rather get Runyan for 1 yr and then draft a starter next year…..

Someone tell Jason Campbell to hang it up. Vince Young pretty much let us know we are in line behind him. Someone also let the Eagles, Raiders and Vikings know. And anyone else I left off.....

Vince Young has had a lot of ups and downs in his football career (mostly ups at Texas, mostly downs in Tennessee) but he's always remained one thing: a very talented athlete. So it's no surprise that when he sat down with Esquire: "I don't know when I'll start again. But I will be the next black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. And I will be in the Hall of Fame."

That Mark Sanchez statement is interesting. Let's face it guys Latinos do work harder than blacks. I can vouch for that, my lawn guy does way better job that I could ever do with the same equipment. It's no knock on us black folks, just a pure fact.

In terms of Heyer...it is called progression...You know it is what usually happens when a young player works hard during the off season and gains more experience...For an undrafted rook to even start in his second year is usually unheard of. I think he will be a legit starter this year (save for injuries)...

In terms of depth...I agree with you completely. We need to go sign someone like runyan. Granted he is old, but he is a vet w/ starting experience (esp. in the nfc east). He would be an upgrade at tackle better then anyone else we have on the 2nd string.

Posted by: merajc86 | August 6, 2009 12:36 PM | Report abuse

I completely get that Heyer has probably improved and given what was/is on our roster should be the starter. Even if Jansen was still here he would be, I get that, support that, agree with that and blah blah blah....but to expect that he is suddenly a major upgrade and an above average RT in this league is expecting a lot. And while I hated watching Jansen at times last year he still would have been half decent depth behind Samuels and Heyer in case one or both got hurt. Right now we have no depth behind them besides out of position Bridges and some guy named Burley. I have to believe/hope that a move will be made soon, they can't really be thinking this is good enough for a 16 game season....Jonas Jennings, Mark Columbo, Mark Tauscher, Runyan any of these guys or any two of these guys would be cheap additions to give us a little bit of depth behind Samuels and Heyer. I want Levi Jones but he will get paid starter money, personally I think we need a starter at RT and since we refuse to draft lineman we should go ahead and sign a starter, but if we want the cheap route any of those four would be better than what we have. A legit tackle to be the backup and then Rhino and Bridges at guard and Bridges at tackle if necessary in a calamity situation of both Samuels and Heyer hurt makes so much more sense than what we have now.

My grandmother aint as fragile as those 2 guys. Cut them please. Even if the skins replaced them with special team’s players, at least we would have somebody more reliable. I’m tried of hearing about their potential. The road to hell is paved with "potential"